CEO blog: February 2026

Image credit: Brunswick Corporation
Image credit: Brunswick Corporation

You do not need me to remind you that we are surrounded by innovative, marine sector tech on all fronts, racing ahead and burgeoning, seemingly at a pace I can’t recall at any point in my lifetime. And as one gets older (rather like me these days), it is easy to turn a blind eye to what’s happening, and to plough on with what we know, accepting the norm, hoping it will all just go away. But of course, it doesn’t, so we must try and embrace what’s new and cope with the inevitable change and resulting disruption to our lives it brings.

For younger and less experienced marine surveyors, I’d suggest ignoring what is Continue reading “CEO blog: February 2026”

UK-led maritime consortium reveals plan for nuclear-powered fleet

 Pictured: Left to right: Nick Tomkinson, GNSP; Simon Williams, Rolls Royce; Blair Jamieson, Babcock; Mark Tipping, Lloyd’s Register; Kirsti Massie, Stephenson Harwood; and Mike Salthouse, NorthStandard
Pictured: Left to right: Nick Tomkinson, GNSP; Simon Williams, Rolls Royce; Blair Jamieson, Babcock; Mark Tipping, Lloyd’s Register; Kirsti Massie, Stephenson Harwood; and Mike Salthouse, NorthStandard

The UK is taking a decisive step towards leading the global race to decarbonise shipping with the launch of the Maritime Nuclear Consortium and its plans for a nuclear-powered fleet.

Convened by Lloyd’s Register (LR), the group unites leading expertise from the nuclear, maritime, insurance and regulatory sectors to set the highest international standards for safe, secure and commercially viable nuclear-powered ships. Continue reading “UK-led maritime consortium reveals plan for nuclear-powered fleet”

What caught my eye: February 2026

Llangollen Canal breach

For my first two stories this month, I turned to the UK inland waterways, always a source of inspiration. The first story is shocking as you are about to find out.

Just before the Christmas holidays, a severe breach occurred on the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch, with devastating consequences for several boaters. Footage of this extraordinary event shot around the UK news channels as it made the headlines. Continue reading “What caught my eye: February 2026”

Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review

Paper 2 on Post Construction Assessment by Tom Keeling attracts encouraging response
Paper 2 on Post Construction Assessment by Tom Keeling attracts encouraging response

Throughout 2025, work continued on Recreational Craft Directive (RCD), Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) and Post Construction Assessment (PCA) research, with a newly drafted paper by Tom Keeling – known as PCA 2 – receiving an encouraging response from Graham Russell MBE, Chief Executive of OPSS (Office for Product Safety & Standards). The paper is due for wider release in early 2026.

Since the release of the PCA 1 paper in 2024, IIMS has remained engaged with Continue reading “Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review”

UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports

UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implement recommendations from marine accident reports
UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports

In its 44th report of Session 24-26, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has criticised the length of time taken by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to implement recommendations from marine accident reports, made by the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (the Regulations). The Regulations set out various requirements for small and large vessels and introduce additional requirements arising from recommendations made in two reports by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Continue reading “UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports”

Lundy Explorer report published by MAIB

The MAIB's Lundy Explorer report has identified some important safety issues
The MAIB’s Lundy Explorer report has identified some important safety issues

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published the Lundy Explorer report, an incident which left one passenger severely injured. On 7 June 2023, the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) Lundy Explorer departed Ilfracombe Harbour for a sea safari trip. While leaving the harbour the boat encountered a high wave, which caused it to slam into an oncoming wave. A passenger sitting in a jockey seat in the front of the RIB, where the highest shock loads were experienced, was dislodged from their seat and suffered a fracture of their spinal column that resulted in permanent paralysis. Continue reading “Lundy Explorer report published by MAIB”

Bringing expertise to the UK Maritime Industry

Bringing expertise to the UK Maritime Industry
Bringing expertise to the UK Maritime Industry

The UK’s top maritime professional organisations are working together to make their voice heard on key issues and bringing expertise to the UK Maritime Industry.

While the size of the British merchant fleet may have declined significantly over the past several decades the UK continues to be well endowed with maritime expertise.

For generations, professional organisations have provided a key source of expertise helping to maintain the right standards across industrial sectors ashore. However just over three years ago a number of maritime-linked bodies came to the view that this has not been happening within the maritime sector and, often, regulators and employers had been missing out on the years of experience leading professionals can bring to the table. Continue reading “Bringing expertise to the UK Maritime Industry”

UK’s First ROUV certified ahead of trials

 ACUA Ocean. Pioneer becomes the first certified ROUV in the UK
ACUA Ocean. Pioneer becomes the first certified ROUV in the UK

The hydrogen-powered Pioneer, a remotely operated and unmanned vessel (ROUV), has received the UK’s first certification under Workboat Code 3 ahead of its upcoming trials. Lloyd’s Register (LR), which issued the certification under authorisation from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, reports it represents a significant development in the evolution of regulatory pathways for uncrewed and autonomous vessels operating in UK waters.

“This certification represents a major step forward – not just for ACUA Ocean or LR, Continue reading “UK’s First ROUV certified ahead of trials”

Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims

Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club
Handling of jumbo bags is the subject of a new video from London P&I Club

The London P&I Club has renewed its warning to shipowners, operators, and charterers over the risks linked to loading dry chemicals in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs), and the incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags with the launch of a new video that provides loss prevention advice.

The alert follows several incidents involving cargo fires and damage—particularly on bulk carriers and general cargo ships, with many cases reported at Chinese ports. The Club warns that failure to strictly comply with all relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) Continue reading “Incorrect storage and handling of jumbo bags can lead to significant claims”

West P&I Club on phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic waters

Historic phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic agreement
Historic phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic agreement

West P&I Club has highlighted the OSPAR Commission, composed of 15 governments and the European Union, which has agreed to a historic phased banning on scrubbers in the North-East Atlantic waters, marking the first regional regulation of its kind.

The decision was made at the OSPAR Ministerial Meeting in June 2025, with ministers expressing concerns about hazardous discharges from exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) on ships, Continue reading “West P&I Club on phased banning of scrubbers in North-East Atlantic waters”

Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas

Department of Transport - Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas
Department of Transport – Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas

In a significant move to strengthen maritime safety across the UK, the Department for Transport has issued an updated version of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) with clear expectations that marinas and other non-statutory marine facilities bring their safety practices in line with the national framework as the Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas.

Originally introduced in 2000, the PMSC has long applied to statutory harbour authorities. However, the latest revision now explicitly includes all marine facilities, including privately operated marinas, piers, jetties, and terminals, even when located outside of traditional harbour jurisdictions. Continue reading “Updated Port Marine Safety Code extends reach to UK Marinas”

New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations

The front of a shipAccording to West P&I Club, the new UK Arbitration Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025 and will come into force most likely at some point later this year. The 2025 Act will not be a standalone Act but, rather, inserts amendments to the 1996 Act so as to enact the recommendations of the Law Commission codifying the common law position and eliminating ambiguity. As such, the 2025 Act will modernise arbitration in London to maintain its competitiveness as a seat for international arbitrations. Continue reading “New Arbitration Act 2025: Key changes for maritime arbitrations”

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